I agree with you. There are too many playable races to not have some neglected at this point. Blizzard needs to focus on what it has, or else it will take forever to make a circulation of focus equal to all the races at some point. So yah, I agree.

Less playable races but definitely continue their stories beyond the expansion they were introduced. It's nice to see Ethereals doing *something* in current WoW, even if it's just a player service. I'd be nice to have seen Vrykul outside of DS during Cata. I'd hope with Pandaria opened up perhaps we'd see Jinyu and Hozen adventuring around the bigger world. Maybe a few humbled Mogu out doing something in a world that is completely new to them as well. Not a primary focus but just present and not forgotten.

Honestly, it sorta irritates me... mostly because it's yet another of example of this being an RPG, but us having absolutely no control over the story. Also, they still clearly want humans and orcs to be the only races that REALLY matter in the end, so all the other stories are either sub-plots or just intended to tie in with the larger "humans and orcs" storyline... so it doesn't matter that much to me which other race they choose to fill that role.

Plus, I hate the hozen. With a passion. I considered switching back to alliance just so I wouldn't have to be allied with the Hozen, and if I could, I would slaughter every single Hozen, have Sylvanas re-animate them, slaughter them again, then have their souls (if they have any) bound and tormented for all eternity... as a start.

Honestly, it sorta irritates me... mostly because it's yet another of example of this being an RPG, but us having absolutely no control over the story. Also, they still clearly want humans and orcs to be the only races that REALLY matter in the end, so all the other stories are either sub-plots or just intended to tie in with the larger "humans and orcs" storyline... so it doesn't matter that much to me which other race they choose to fill that role.

Plus, I hate the hozen. With a passion. I considered switching back to alliance just so I wouldn't have to be allied with the Hozen, and if I could, I would slaughter every single Hozen, have Sylvanas re-animate them, slaughter them again, then have their souls (if they have any) bound and tormented for all eternity... as a start.

Yeah those were what made me unsub. The forest hozen are AWFUL and the hozen in general definitely aren't good but I like the IDEA of a shortlived race with high numbers joining the Horde as fodder or to replace peons as orcs set up more widespread means of education.

Well since they're making it 'evil' to force the elements whereas before it was a sort of political / cultural difference they couldn't keep them around unless they were all gonna be slated to die with Garrosh :\

Well since they're making it 'evil' to force the elements whereas before it was a sort of political / cultural difference they couldn't keep them around unless they were all gonna be slated to die with Garrosh :\

I forgot about that part of Taunka lore. Does that mean they are at odds with the Earthen Ring?

Toshe might just have learned the ways of the Tauren after meeting them during the Lich King war, giving up his elemental enslavement practices and joining the Earthen Ring. It's not necessarily a contradiction.

Although I doubt that all shamans of the Earthen Ring have ethical standards as strict as Muln's. There must be many orc and troll shamans (and especially goblins) that have no issue in dominating their elemental servants.

Though that contradicts the terrible shaman manga where Muln Earthfury let his apprentice DIE rather than force the elements because of how big a deal it was (the jackass)

They do seem to slowly be ebbing out the mangas from existence. I hold their lore in about as much regard as the RPG books which is... "tenative at best". There is still a large Scourge presence in Northrend and there are still Nerubians to worry about. The world does continue after the expansions end and the CDev team do have an idea of what happens but there's no easy way to get that to players other than the Q&As. Saurfang stayed behind to manage the Northrend skeleton crews (left behinds that act as scouts for further problems) and we can assume that the Taunka returned to the relative harsh normalcy of their lives but remain on good terms with the Warsong Offensive.

I will point out that there is a thematic difference in "controlling" the Elements and "abusing" the Elements and perverting them as Garrosh has his ShamLocks do. There are lines even the Taunka would not cross.

As for the OP. I, tentatively, think that Blizzard are doing a better job at utilizing their existing races and as they begin to better utilize Scenarios as story telling devices we'll see more development of existing races. Adding NPC races to Horde and Alliance is a good thing for now because they won't garner as large a following. This gives them space to develop them more freely.

Say what you'd like about the Hozen but I found them to be a fresh comic relief now that Goblins are plaaaaayed out. I don't like them and I envy the Jinyu but I think it's a very silly thing to /quit over. They didn't get much presence after all. They were really localized to the Jade Forest story zone. I think any of the Hozen who saw the Sha after the battle likely said "Wak the ooken oath" and scarpered.

Toshe might just have learned the ways of the Tauren after meeting them during the Lich King war, giving up his elemental enslavement practices and joining the Earthen Ring. It's not necessarily a contradiction.

Although I doubt that all shamans of the Earthen Ring have ethical standards as strict as Muln's. There must be many orc and troll shamans (and especially goblins) that have no issue in dominating their elemental servants.

He flat out says he uses the Taunka way though in his quests.

---------- Post added 2013-02-07 at 12:03 AM ----------

Originally Posted by thesmall001

Say what you'd like about the Hozen but I found them to be a fresh comic relief now that Goblins are plaaaaayed out. I don't like them and I envy the Jinyu but I think it's a very silly thing to /quit over. They didn't get much presence after all. They were really localized to the Jade Forest story zone. I think any of the Hozen who saw the Sha after the battle likely said "Wak the ooken oath" and scarpered.

It'd be great if that wasn't -all- they were good for. I mean "Chief Kah Kah"? :\ REALLY?

And while that was the straw that broke the camels back it was a long time coming.

One of the bigger story things for me was how the whole reason Thrall went to Outland and talked with the Mag'har was because he wanted to tap all that original orcish culture... and then it turns out being no different from legion stuff, we have mag'har under Garrosh that are WORSE than demonblood orcs from the second war

Too often, we are mistaken for druidic types. perhaps that's true for some shaman, but do not let yourself be plagued by the ignorant belief that we are always peaceful.
Nothing about what I do is harmonious. I command the elements to my will. There is nothing offered in return. I would have it no other way.

The only non-playable NPCs I see on a consistent basis in the Horde or Alliance ranks are Revantusk Forest Trolls and High Elves respectively. I assume because those factions are closely associated with Horde/Alliance. Moreso than other NPC races.

The only non-playable NPCs I see on a consistent basis in the Horde or Alliance ranks are Revantusk Forest Trolls and High Elves respectively. I assume because those factions are closely associated with Horde/Alliance. Moreso than other NPC races.

Thanks! I like that quote. I am happy they are not streamlining Taunka shamanism out of existence.

Ditto. One of the things I loved about the game was all the differences in the cultures ad races and seeing the occasional meshing to create something new or improve something that was already around... but then everything started getting homogenized in neutral factions and "THE ARMY OF THE LIGHT!" Ugh.

The fighting at Hyjal and The Might of Kalimdor for the AQ thing are, in my opinion the ONLY times the Alliance and Horde working together has 'worked' for me and made sense.